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Posts for tag: Heel pain

Heel pain can make daily activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, more challenging. It can even prevent you from participating in favorite sports and recreational activities, such as running. There are several possible causes of heel pain. Different treatment options are available to alleviate the discomfort of heel pain, as well as resolve the problem causing the pain. Dr. Neal Katz is your experienced podiatrist for treatment of heel pain in Stoughton and Madison, WI. Dr. Katz can diagnose the cause of your heel pain and recommend the right treatment option.

Causes and Types of Heel Pain

Heel pain can develop from an injury but is typically the result of repeated stress on the heel over time. The heel absorbs a lot of impacts when performing activities such as walking, running or jumping. Further, strenuous activities, such as kickboxing and certain sports, involving high-impact movements can put a lot of stress on the heels. Over time, continual pounding on the heels can aggravate them and lead to the development of persistent pain and discomfort. To determine the cause of your heel pain in Stoughton and Madison, consult a podiatrist, such as Dr. Katz.

Two common types of heel pain many people develop are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonosis, also referred to as tendonitis. The pain associated with Achilles tendonosis is typically felt behind the heel, whereas the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis is felt on the bottom of the heel. Plantar fasciitis is also associated with the development of heel spurs, which are calcium deposits that have built up on the bottom of the heels. It can be especially uncomfortable walking with heel spurs.

Treatments for Heel Pain

There are a variety of treatments for heel pain. Some treatments provide relief by targeting the pain and discomfort, while other treatments target the cause and heal the problem. The treatments that are best for you will depend on the type and cause of your heel pain. Treatments for heel pain include stretching, resting the heel, physical therapy and wearing supportive footwear or orthotic foot supports. Treatment can also include such medications as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery is also a possibility in more serious cases.

Whatever the cause of your heel pain, there are treatments that can help. For treatment of heel pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Katz at his Madison or Stoughton, WI location by calling (608) 241-0848.

Dealing with heel pain? Isn’t it time you found out more about what’s causing your discomfort?

Heel pain is nothing to scoff at. While it might not seem like a big deal when you first notice it, over time it can become a downright nuisance. Heel pain can make it more difficult to move around and it can even limit your day-to-day activities. If you have no idea what might be going on, your podiatrist might be able to answer your burning questions.

What is causing my heel pain?

There are many reasons why you could be experiencing heel pain, which is why it’s so important to visit your foot doctor at the first sign of an issue. Only then can we really determine the root cause. Of course, one of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis.

What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of ligaments that connect your toes to your heel bone. When they become inflamed, this causes heel pain, stiffness and a host of other issues.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

If this condition is truly the cause of your heel pain, then you’ll more than likely notice a stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot that may be worse in the morning when you take your first couple steps. You may also notice that the pain subsides a bit during physical activity, but immediately comes back full force right after. You may also experience stiffness or limited mobility as a result of the plantar fasciitis.

How can I treat my heel pain?

Most heel pain can easily be treated with more conservative measures including:

Rest

Avoiding high-impact activities

Elevating the foot

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers

Splinting

Icing

Most causes of heel pain like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis will go away with these simple at-home measures. However, for those with more persistent or severe cases, you may need to talk to your foot doctor about other options including extracorporeal shockwave therapy or corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and swelling, and to help speed up the healing process.

Contact your Podiatrist

Heel pain doesn’t have to take over your life. Turn to your foot doctor for the help and care your feet need to stay healthy.